i8o POT-POURRI FROM A SURREY GARDEN 



straight and strong on a border or rockery. It is of a very 

 blue colour, with a centre of lovely stamens and stigma 

 forming a bright orange tassel. These species of Crocus 

 are much more satisfactory to grow in borders than the pale 

 Colchicums of the Swiss meadows, as they are true Cro- 

 cuses, and only form in spring slight narrow leaves instead 

 of the despairingly coarse growth of the Colchicums, which, 

 dying down in the end of May, make such an eyesore in 

 the borders ; it seems best therefore to plant the latter in 

 grass. My double and single Italian Daturas are later 

 this year than usual, owing to the wet weather ; but they 

 are covered with blooms now, and very sweet. The 

 double ones will last longer in water, scenting a room, 

 than the single ones. We plant them out at the end of 

 May ; and when they have been out three weeks or so, a 

 spade is passed round them to cut the roots, and a ditch 

 made, which is filled in with manure. This generous 

 treatment makes the whole difference in their flowering 

 well. I cannot say whether it would be necessary in a 

 damper soil, but I think it would, as cutting their roots in 

 spring stimulates them to flower earlier, before the frost 

 comes. The old plants are taken up and put into pots, 

 and housed for the winter. This is such a happy time of 

 the year for a gardener. There is a sense of power about 

 it ; all the planting and planning and changing are done 

 now. One is loth to disturb beds till the frost comes 

 and kills things down ; but it is most desirable not to put 

 off planting, and to get everything done one can before 

 any real cold comes. 



I am gradually clearing away nearly all the Laurels I 

 found on the place, only keeping those growing under 

 trees, and others that form a protection against the 

 north-east wind ; but even those few that are left want 

 constantly cutting back, as they soon encroach and choke 

 everything else. At the stores they sell a most excellent 



